Thailand moving forward

The global EV offensive is forcing some manufacturers to look for alternative ways of cashing in from their experience in the field. BMW recently announced that their Thailand branch will be kicking off local high voltage battery production starting next year. The plant will be located at a new production facility in the WHA Chonburi Industrial Estate area. The aim is to allow the Thai branch to have the capability to make assemble battery modules and the battery itself. This move will be done in collaboration with the Dräxlmaier Group, a BMW Group partner since 1966 and one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers. Alongside the electric motor, the high-voltage battery is a central element of partially and fully-electrified vehicles and a highly sophisticated component that requires specialized skills to produce. To strengthen the foundations for high-tech assembly work, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand and Dräxlmaier Group are engaging in an intensive cooperation … [Read more...] about BMW to Start Manufacturing Batteries in Thailand Next Year

The 2019 Mitsubishi Triton facelift has just made its global debut here in Bangkok, Thailand, and this mid-life update of the fifth-generation pick-up truck brings quite a fair bit of change to the table. Let’s start with the most obvious change – design. Up front, the new Triton (known as the L200 in certain markets) wears a significantly bolder look, courtesy of the new Dynamic Shield family face. The bonnet line has also been raised, which helps accentuate the sense of presence. Also new are the slimmer bi-LED headlights with stylish LED daytime running lights. Both units are connected seamlessly to a brand new dual-bar radiator grille. Below that, the halogen fog lamps sit recessed in a protruding housing (much like the Xpander), and two thick chrome strips neatly guide the eye down and towards the side. Completing the frontal revision is a skid plate that’s finished in satin silver, and it features a quartet of air inlets to aid aerodynamic flow. Round the side, … [Read more...] about 2019 Mitsubishi Triton facelift debuts in Thailand

The Volvo XC40 was recently launched in Thailand, where it is offered in two variants – T4 Momentum and T5 AWD R-Design. Prices start at 2,090,000 baht (RM266,768) for the entry-level variant, while the range-topper goes for 2,390,000 baht (RM305,060). Under the bonnet, both variants feature a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder Drive-E engine that makes 190 hp/300 Nm in the T4, and 252 hp/350 Nm in the T5. An eight-speed Geartronic automatic transmission comes as standard, with all-wheel drive being another additional system for the T5. In terms of performance, the T4 will take 8.4 seconds to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint and comes with a top speed of 210 km/h. The T5 takes 6.4 seconds to do the same, and has a higher top speed of 230 km/h. The T5 also gets the Sport chassis, whereas the T4 comes with the Dynamic chassis instead. In terms of exterior features, the T4 comes with the Momentum trim package and 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels in silver (235/55 profile tyres). The … [Read more...] about Volvo XC40 launched in Thailand

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad won’t be letting go of his automotive dream easily. Yesterday, the prime minister raised the prospect of restricting imported cars to give priority to local cars, just like in the old days. “We are now very open to accepting foreign brands. All cars, even those that are made out of ‘tin Milo’ are being allowed into Malaysia. But our cars are finding it hard to penetrate many other countries,” Mahathir said in the Dewan Rakyat in response to a query from Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong about the third national car project the PM proposed. “There are a number of factors that had made it difficult for Proton to penetrate the foreign market, which includes strict terms, conditions and policies that have been set by other developed countries. That is why we must review the possibility that certain conditions be imposed so that foreign-branded cars won’t make it to our shores that easily. And this will give the … [Read more...] about Restricting auto imports is a regressive move, liberalising market is the way forward

When was the last time a new model from Toyota created so much hype? Sure, car guys like the Toyota 86 and many within the same group are eagerly anticipating the new Supra, but if you haven’t already realised, there’s a real world out there with actual car buyers. And normal people really like SUVs. But in a landscape already saturated with SUVs, how does a latecomer stand out? Go for broke, design-wise – that’s what Toyota did with the C-HR. UMW Toyota Motor’s long tease of a nationwide pre-launch campaign drew massive interest from Malaysians, who flocked to showrooms and roadshows for a closer look at the Coupe High Rider (Compact High Rider and Cross Hatch Runabout are the alternate names, but I like coupes and we’ll stick to that). Local previews started in May 2017, culminating in a key handover ceremony last month, but appetite has been building since the C-HR’s debut in March 2016. Let’s not forget that a car-based Toyota SUV in … [Read more...] about DRIVEN: Toyota C-HR 1.8L